Chapter 07: “Fear”

The next day, Shen Xiaofan woke up as usual. She spotted the weird bracelet she had brought yesterday on the table. The old woman claimed that she could see what normal humans couldn't see, just by wearing this bracelet. It was such an old-fashioned bracelet that Shen Xiaofan didn't want to wear. Besides, the school forbids their students from wearing any kind of jewelry. Besides, she hates occult stuff like ghosts and paranormal activities. It scares her and made her realize that humans don't live alone in this world. We were bound by nature and its creatures, but the idea of bonding with a ghost made Shen Xiaofan felt a chill. All of Shen Xiaofan's thoughts were heard by Wei Xiu and Luo Bojing.

"Are you sure this girlfriend of yours will accept you?", Luo Bojing said with great doubt. Wei Xiu only smiled, she didn't know what else should she say. Her previous lover cheated on her, now her sweetheart is actually afraid of her. Sometimes, Wei Xiu hoped that she and Shen Xiaofan had met sooner, perhaps things would end differently. Yet, at the same time, she wasn't sure if she would hang out with a female student. What would others say about her? Even Luo Bojing was teasing her for having a huge crush on a female high schooler.

In the end, Shen Xiaofan decided to bring the bracelet to school. She wanted to discuss it with Song Ehuang who loves supernatural things. Before school began, Shen Xiaofan approached Song Ehuang who was busy fixing her make-up.

"Ehuang, do you have a minute?",

"Oh, Xiaofan baby. What's up?",

"Stop calling me like that, I have something to show you.", Shen Xiaofan handed the bracelet to Song Ehuang, "I purchase this bracelet from an old fortune teller, she said this bracelet could make you see ghosts.",

Song Ehuang was pleasantly surprised to hear that. Her Shen Xiaofan is finally interested in this occult stuff!

This, of course, can be heard by Wei Xiu, ghosts could hear what people said in their hearts or mind after all. Wei Xiu was confused by their friendship, sometimes they looked like casual friends, but at other times they looked very intimate.

"Okay, let me try.",

Song Ehuang took the bracelet and put it in her left hand. Luo Bojing and Wei Xiu immediately cover their presence with their spiritual energy. Song Ehuang couldn't see ghosts in the classroom, however, she managed to see two black veils of mist behind Shen Xiaofan. It reminded her about the picture she took during the school camp, it was exactly the same mists. Feeling unsure, Song Ehuang pulled out the bracelet and looked at Shen Xiaofan, the black mists disappeared. She puts back the bracelet and the black mists behind Shen Xiaofan appeared again.

"H-how is it?", Shen Xiaofan asked curiously.

"Well… this might sound crazy but this bracelet sure can make you see… things.", Song Ehuang took off the bracelet and put it on Shen Xiaofan, "You have to see it for yourself.",

Song Ehuang stood up and tilted Shen Xiaofan's body to the other side where the black mists were. Shen Xiaofan was surprised that she could see Wei Xiu clearly. However, she couldn't see Luo Bojing's figure other than a black mist.

"Xiaofan, what did you see?",

"...Nothing.",

Shen Xiaofan took off her bracelet and put it in her pocket. It's quite strange that she felt agitated instead of being scared. Now, she knows that Wei Xiu is a ghost and has been fooling her around.

"Why are you angry?",

Before Shen Xiaofan could answer Song Ehuang, the bell had already started and the teacher entered the classroom. Wei Xiu could hear what Shen Xiaofan said in her mind, she had mixed feelings about this. She felt relieved because Shen Xiaofan isn't afraid of her, but at the same time, she felt sad because Shen Xiaofan thought she's a liar. More than that, how could Shen Xiaofan see her completely? She hasn't taken off her spiritual cover. Even Emily Chen can only see her silhouette figure. Luo Bojing also couldn't understand what happened, he suggested Wei Xiu consult with Emily Chen. Ghost hunters usually knew a lot about the interactions between humans and spirits.

During lunchtime, Wei Xiu approached Emily Chen who was eating alone at the school cafeteria. Wei Xiu didn't see Shen Xiaofan or Song Ehuang eating here, they usually brought their own lunchbox.

"Emily Chen, I have something to ask you.",

"Oh, Shen Xiaofan's guardian? What do you need?",

"You see…", Wei Xiu told Emily Chen about what happened this morning, Emily Chen heard it and wasn't surprised. She did see Shen Xiaofan handing something to Song Ehuang, but her seat was in the front, so she could not see it very well.

"Well, it can only mean one thing… have you ever shown up in front of her using your supernatural power?",

"Well, yes… I did… several times.", Wei Xiu wasn't sure if it was because of appearing to Shen Xiaofan. Then again, she knew absolutely nothing about this kind of thing. She just became a ghost several months ago.

"No wonder. Your spiritual essence has warped her spiritual body, to put it simply, her spiritual sense had already gotten familiar with you. Although she still cannot see you directly, her spiritual body does. This is why she can identify your figure with that bracelet.",

"You mean, her sense has gotten sharp on me?",

"It's not just you, she could sense other ghosts as well. Though it won't be as sharp as she does to you. However, it's not impossible.",

Wei Xiu and Emily Chen continued to discuss about Shen Xiaofan. Later, when the school had finally over, Shen Xiaofan suddenly approached Emily Chen.

"Emily, can I discuss something with you?",

This, of course, had surprised Emily Chen, she would never think that Shen Xiaofan will ask her about the bracelet. She usually goes to her best friend, Song Ehuang, just like this morning, however, it is a pleasant surprise for her to be depended upon.

"Sure, what's up?",

"Back at the camp, you said I have a guardian spirit following me.", Shen Xiaofan said as she took out the bracelet, "I just saw a figure of a woman in a red dress behind me… is she my guardian spirit or is she the rumored haunting ghost in this school?",

Emily Chen had forgotten about the rumored dreaded female ghost in red at the school's toilet room. Come to think of it, Shen Xiaofan's guardian spirit appearance does match with the rumored ghost description. But looking at the spirit again, she's not as dreadful as what the rumors appear to be. Emily Chen smiled and said, "In my opinion, perhaps she's just a lonely ghost who is looking for a friend.",

Hearing what Emily Chen had said, Shen Xiaofan was reminded of how she first met Wei Xiu at the school gym. She claimed that her boyfriend had cheated on her and she had nowhere else to go. Then, when she was at the park, Wei Xiu also appeared and had fun with her. Even when she almost got lost at the camp, Wei Xiu appeared and was accompanying her for the rest of the day. With this, Shen Xiaofan who was exasperated now felt sympathy towards Wei Xiu. Perhaps, Wei Xiu was lying about her identity because she didn't want to scare her.

"I guess… is she dangerous?",

"In my opinion, all ghosts who disrupt human's life are all bad. But it is not in my place to say such things, especially when she had protected you all this time.",

"She… did?",

"Yeah, several times, I have witnessed it on my own.", Emily Chen took out her pen and a single note, then she wrote her phone number, and handed it to Shen Xiaofan, "You can call me anytime if she does something dangerous.",

"Emily, just who are you?",

Emily Chen smiled and said, "I'm just your regular classmate and… friend.",

Shen Xiaofan finds those words a bit funny, she must be something like a paranormal investigator or something. Though it must be her secret, Shen Xiaofan didn't try to pry further.

"Thank you, Emily.",

"Oh, and perhaps you might want to talk to her by yourself. That bracelet lets you see her directly, perhaps you can communicate two-ways with her.",

"I'm a bit… scared of this kind of thing.",

"You have my phone number, don't worry alright? If something happens, I will run to your house as soon as possible.",

Emily Chen tried to reassure her, Shen Xiaofan felt complicated. She wasn't scared just now, but now Emily Chen just said every ghost who interrupted human's activities are all bad. She didn't dare to communicate with Wei Xiu.

"I will think about it later… is she following me?",

"Yep.",

Shen Xiaofan sighed and she felt exhausted about this whole occult thing. Come to think of it, she had dreamed about Wei Xiu several times, does that mean Wei Xiu is following her everywhere?

"Give me a break…",

Emily Chen smiled wryly and patted Shen Xiaofan's shoulder, "Hang on, my friend.",

On the other hand, Wei Xiu had a mixed feeling about this. Perhaps it's better for Shen Xiaofan to be mad at her rather than fearing her. What should she do?